Energy Suppliers

Energy tariffs explained

Don't know where to start when it comes to energy tariffs? We've explained some of the popular ones below - when you're ready, you can start comparing energy tariffs with us.

Standard tariffs

What is it?

This is your supplier's 'default' tariff. It will have variable prices that can go up and down with the market. You may also see it referred to as your supplier's 'evergreen' tariff.

Will I be charged a fee for leaving?

No. Standard tariffs do not have exit fees for leaving and your contract will have no fixed end date.

This tariff is a good option if... you want flexibility and don't want to be tied down to a contract.You should watch out for...standard prices are not usually the supplier's cheapest and can increase or decrease.

Fixed energy tariffs

What is it?

This is a tariff which offers guaranteed standing charges and unit rates, usually until a defined end date.

Will I be charged a fee for leaving?

Some fixed tariffs will have an exit fee if you leave before your contract end date. However, with many you are free to leave at any time. Under new Ofgem rules, if you switch 42-49 days before the end of your tariff your supplier cannot charge exit fees.

This tariff is a good option if... you want peace of mind. Many suppliers now offer fixed prices which are much cheaper than their Standard variable tariffs.You should watch out for... you will not benefit from any price cuts whilst you are on a fixed tariff. If you increase the amount of energy you use, the amount you pay will go up; fixed tariffs only guarantee the cost of the standing charge and the pence per kilowatt hour cost of gas or electricity.
Compare prices with Which? Switch to see if you could make a saving and get peace of mind.

Dual fuel tariffs

What is it?

A dual fuel energy tariff provides gas and electricity from the same energy supplier. Not only can dealing with just one energy company make life easier, but often cheaper plans are only open to dual fuel customers.

Will I be charged a fee for leaving?

Maybe, it will depend on the terms of your tariff contract. Almost all fixed, online and standard tariffs will offer a dual fuel option.

This tariff is a good option if... you want the convenience of just dealing with one supplier. Many dual fuel tariffs also offer a discount for taking both gas and electricity from the same company.
You should watch out for... the amount of discount dual fuel offers does not always outweigh the potential savings of going with two separate suppliers for gas and electricity.
Which? Switch allows you to see savings for both dual fuel and separate gas and electricity tariffs. Enter your post code to start comparing energy prices now.

Online energy tariffs

What is it?

Online energy tariffs require you to manage your account via the internet, usually in return for a discount to your gas or electricity. You will be asked to send meter readings online and will receive 'paperless' bills.

Usually this means your bills will be sent as attachments to emails or will be available to download from your personal account area on the supplier's website.

Will I be charged a fee for leaving?

Maybe, it will depend on the terms of your tariff contract.

This tariff is a good option if... you want the cheapest possible tariff and you prefer managing everything via the internet.

You should watch out for... if you opt for an online tariff, many suppliers will send all important correspondence via email rather than through the post. This includes your welcome pack when you sign up. If you prefer paper bills, an online tariff may not be for you.
You could make a significant saving by changing to an online deal- enter your post code and check how much you could save.

Pre-Payment Tariffs

What is it?

These tariffs are for people with prepayment meters and enable customers to pay in advance for gas and electricity by 'topping-up' their meter using prepay tokens, cards or a key.

Will I be charged a fee for leaving?

Maybe, it will depend on the terms of your tariff contract. You can switch suppliers to a new prepayment tariff if you have up to £500 of debt on your meter, although some smaller suppliers may have lower debt limits.

If you want to pay by any other method, your supplier may charge you for installing a new meter, and may refuse to allow you to leave prepayment if you are in debt.

This tariff is a good option if... some people find prepayment meters an easier way to manage their finances.

You should watch out for... expensive prices. Prepayment is widely accepted to be one of the most expensive ways to pay for gas and electricity. Also, tariff options are more limited for prepayment customers.
Which? Switch displays all the prepayment tariffs currently available on the market.

'Green' energy tariffs

What is it?

A 'green' tariff can be one of two things. Either the supplier will promise to match your usage with generation from renewable sources of energy, or it will contribute towards environmental schemes on your behalf.

Will I be charged a fee for leaving?

Maybe, it will depend on the terms of your tariff contract.

This tariff is a good option if... you are concerned about the environmental impact of your gas and electricity use. Green tariffs are not always more expensive so you can get a good deal by shopping around.You should watch out for... many, but not all, green tariffs charge higher than average prices.
The Which? Switch results table allows you to compare green energy prices with all other tariffs on the market.

Tariffs not available through Which? Switch

Feed-in tariffs (FIT) - these are contracts where an energy supplier pays you to generate you own electricity at home using renewable technologies. You will not find these tariffs on energy price comparison sites, but you can find out more in our feed-in tariffs explained guide.

Social energy tariffs - social tariffs for customers who had difficulty paying their bills, such as E.ON's Staywarm programme, have now been phased out and replaced by the Warm Home Discount scheme.

Economy 10 and other 'Time of Use' tariffs - these tariffs are similar to Economy 7 in that they offer cheaper electricity at times when there is lower demand on the National Grid. Not all energy suppliers offer 'Time of Use' tariffs, and those that do may not offer them to new customers.

Compare and switch suppliers

Tired of poor customer service from your energy supplier? The results o four 2018 Which? energy satisfaciton survey reveal how customers rate 31 gas and electricity suppliers in Great Britain. Use them to help find the best energy company for you.

Reliable information: We strive to ensure the quotes we provide through the Which? Switch service are accurate and up to date, but tariffs and prices can change with little or no notice.

We will provide details of latest tariff changes on the ‘Price Announcements’ section of the website, including whether these changes are reflected in our quotes, so please make sure you check this. As energy prices can fluctuate, we do not guarantee you’ll be able to achieve your anticipated saving.

Smooth application process: We will try to ensure the process of choosing a new energy supplier and your subsequent application to switch your energy supplier runs smoothly. However, please remember that we only facilitate the switch to your new supplier, and once you’ve completed your application with us, your new supplier is responsible for completing the switch.

Your personal data: Which? takes the security of your personal data seriously and will use the information you provide us in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

We work with a third party company called Energylinx in order to provide the Which? Switch service. For the purposes of the General Protection Regulation 2018 Which? and Energylinx are both data controllers of information that you provide to us. Energylinx will pass your information on to potential energy suppliers to obtain indicative prices and to complete your application to switch. They will use the information you provide them in accordance with their Privacy Policy

What you should do for us

Please provide accurate information because the quotes you obtain through the Which? Switch service will only be suitable if you do so.

Please ensure you accurately provide all the information requested in the switch application form, because a failure to do so will result in your application being rejected. We will let you know if your application is incomplete and tell you how you can complete your application so that it can be processed. But please be aware that after we contact you, you will only have five days to complete your application. If you miss this deadline, your application will not be processed.

Please contact your new supplier for an update on your switch application if you have not heard anything from them within 2 weeks of receiving the confirmation email from Which? Switch.

Please use the Which? Switch service responsibly, and do not do anything that may damage Which?, its reputation, or that may be a nuisance to any other person. For example, you should not use the service if you do not intend to switch energy suppliers, and if you are not the bill payer, then please ensure you have their express permission before applying on their behalf.

Before you commit to switching, please make sure you confirm with your new supplier your new price and whether this is likely to change in the near future because tariffs and prices can change with little or no notice. You should also make sure you read and understand your new supplier’s terms and conditions before you commit to switching. We shall always provide you with access to these as part of the Which? Switch service.

Other important things you need to know

Cancellation: If you change your mind and decide not to switch your energy supplier, then please contact your new energy supplier to let them know.

You will have a 14 day cooling off period during which you can cancel without charge. Additional information can be provided by your energy supplier.

We are not an energy supplier: Please remember that we only facilitate the switching of your energy supplier. Any energy contract you enter into as a result of using the Which? Switch service will be between you and your new energy supplier. We will not be a party to that contract, and so will not have any responsibility for any loss you may suffer as a result of you signing a new energy contract.

Fixed-price tariffs: if you are thinking of either switching to or from a fixed-price tariff, please remember that you will probably be charged an early termination fee if you choose to leave the fixed-price tariff before the end of your fixed-price period.

We may reject your application, if we believe that you are not using the service responsibly and/or are providing false or misleading information.

In order to help us improve our service to you, we'd like to send you a survey to tell us how we did. We'll email this to you once you have completed your transfer and your new supplier has confirmed you are on supply - we look forward to hearing your views.